







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Excuse me ma'am, here is an undamaged packet of rice for you. | |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | |
| The packets have 2 pieces in them. | |
| I will ask him to take Bear out, so we can have breakfast. | |
| You are right, is there anything you want me to buy on the way? | |
| Watch out for the 3rd step, it's not very stable. | |
| The rice section is over there. | |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | |
| Can you show me which clothes I need to put away, then? | |
| My sisters live nearby, they help her sometimes. | |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | |
| And sometimes they don't come home for days. | |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
| I don't understand why they call it a bank holiday. | |
| It's difficult to find all the items manually on the self-checkout. | |
| I want him to check the heaters in the rooms while he is here! | |
| Thank god there is nothing to worry about. | |
| No, this one is the shop's own brand, that's why it's not expensive. | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |
| What's the time, are we early? | |